On defence, Gardiner-Franson has been reunited with Gardiner moving back to his natural left, while the returning Mark Fraser joined Paul Ranger on the bottom pair. Gardiner-Franson was the team’s second pairing in the playoffs and the tandem was really effective at moving the puck against the Bruins. Franson was playing better defence in the playoffs than he has been in recent games, but his ability to take care of business in the defensive zone and make a D-to-D pass over to Gardiner to orchestrate the breakout seemed to be an effective combination; and once on the offensive zone blueline, this is a really dangerous pairing. Let’s hope Gardiner’s presence helps Franson settle in as Rielly-Franson was an up-and-down pairing.

Carlyle inferred that Gardiner felt uncomfortable playing the right side (13 games), hence the switch back to natural side with Franson.

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years of elementary school fire drills have desensitized the population. Only in a sporting event does the fire alarm go off, and no one thinks to leave the building.....just like in Ottawa 2 seconds ago lol

@Reversethecurse67@4evrblue Probably the moron who wrote an article informing Leaf fans that it was a joke to even dream about the possibility of acquiring Brayden Schenn, unless we planned on parting with Kessel and multiple 1sts. Not that I disagree with this assessment, lol, but seriously, 'The Hockey News' prints a lot of ridiculous stuff.